Casio has done something genuinely surprising. The G-SHOCK DWN-5600 ring-sized watch arrived this week, bringing shock resistance and 200-meter water resistance to your finger. Yes, your finger.
This follows the company’s December 2024 launch of the CRW-001 ring watch, which became so popular that CASIO struggled to meet demand. It’s easy to see why. Shrinking a functioning timepiece down to ring proportions sounds impossible.
The DWN-5600 takes it a step further by incorporating G-SHOCK’s legendary toughness. It measures approximately one-tenth the size of a standard G-SHOCK watch. The case measures only 23.4 mm × 20 mm × 7.5 mm.
Casio modeled this miniature after the 5600, which carries the DNA of the original G-SHOCK design. The square case and chunky lines are all here, just dramatically scaled down. The engineering required to achieve this deserves recognition.
The shock-resistant structure operates using miniaturized components. Casio reduced the battery size and used high-density mounting technology to fit parts into the tiny case. Space management becomes critical when working with such small dimensions.
Look closely, and you’ll see that the bezel and band details are reproduced using injection molding technology. Nothing was simplified or dumbed down. The buttons, buckle, and case back are made of the same stainless steel used for full-sized G-SHOCK watches. Casio didn’t cut corners here.
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The watch face features a 6-digit digital LCD identical to that of standard 5600 models. Like resin G-SHOCK straps, the band includes adjustment holes, letting you size it properly for your finger. Functionality matters, even at this scale.
What can it do? The DW-5600 displays the time down to the second. It has a calendar function, an LED backlight, and a stopwatch. The dual time capability shows two time zones simultaneously. It’s a legitimate utility packed into something you wear on your finger.
Consider what this represents for horology. Complications have been miniaturized over centuries. We’ve watched movements shrink while becoming more precise. But a shock- and water-resistant digital watch in ring form? That’s new territory.
Casio has always pushed boundaries with G-SHOCK. The brand was launched in 1983 by Kikuo Ibe on a mission to create an unbreakable watch. They dropped prototypes from bathroom windows. He tested impact resistance obsessively. This spirit continues here, but is now directed toward miniaturization.
The DW-5600 won’t replace your wristwatch. Nobody thinks it will. But it expands the possibilities of what a timepiece can be. You can wear it while rock climbing, swimming, or working with your hands. Its practicality becomes obvious when you need to check the time but can’t wear a wristwatch.
Collectors will appreciate the packaging. Casio designed a special presentation that treats the DW-5600 as the serious piece it is. You also get a display stand shaped like the G logo. This acknowledges that some buyers will display it rather than wear it daily.
The price and availability haven’t been announced yet. Given how well the CRW-001 sold, you should expect strong demand. Casio will likely face the same production challenges they encountered with the first ring watch. Getting your hands on one may require patience.
The DWN-5600 raises questions about where timepieces can go next. If you can build a G-SHOCK for your finger, what else becomes possible? What other form factors could work? Casio seems committed to finding out.
The ring-sized G-SHOCK DWN-5600 watch won’t be for everyone. That’s fine. It doesn’t need to be. What it needs to be is excellent at being a fully functional, genuinely tough timepiece that you wear on your finger. From what we can see, Casio has delivered exactly that.
